Ukraine backs Swiss proposal to start prep talks for hosting of future peace negotiations

Ukraine has accepted a Swiss proposal of holding preparatory talks with involved parties for the potential hosting of peace negotiations between Kyiv and Moscow. 

This was revealed by the newly elected President of Switzerland Karin Keller-Sutter, Caliber.Az reports citing Swiss media outlets. 

In an interview given to the local Tages-Anzeiger publication she stated that she talked to Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the recent World Economic Forum held in the Swiss city of Davos. 

“I assured President Zelenskyy that we are ready, for example, to hold preparatory negotiations. He agreed,” Keller-Sutter stated. 

She further made a point to stress out that Russia would also have to be at the negotiation table, along with the "Global South". However, Bern would need to first “understand the Americans’ plan” as they are a key factor in the negotiations, Keller-Sutter acknowledged, saying that she was unaware as of yet which direction the new US-administration wants to take in this matter. 

The president also pointed out that Bern maintains contacts with Moscow to this day. “There are currently rumors that Donald Trump wants to meet with Vladimir Putin in the near future. After that, we might have a clearer understanding of the situation,” she added.

As Caliber.Az recalls, Switzerland has previously hosted a peace conference on the Ukraine crisis which was attented by high-ranking officials from 92 countries. The conference was held in June 2024 in the Swiss city of Bürgenstock upon the initative of Ukraine, but Russian delegates were not invited.

By Nazrin Sadigova